Window display background



July 20,1937. F. MURRAY 2,087,808

l WINDOW DISPLAY BACKGROUND Filed Oct. 22, -1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l l 2a 5w/702.3 Mar/'ay INVE ATTORNEYS July 20, 1937.

F. MURRAY 2,087,808

WINDOW DISPLAY BACKGROUND Filed Oct. 22, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 faffcl's Maf/id ATTORNEYS Patented July 20, 19.37

UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE:

4 Claims.

The invention relates to a window display device and more especially to a window changeable display background.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a background of this character, wherein the same embraces a scene and images and through the instrumentality of light the scene will automatically'change for giving attraction when such scene is within a window for the display of merchandise, the said scene during the day time will have display devoid of color and by night through lighting will be possessed of color imitative of a horizon, growing grass and a roadway although the effect may be varied to be imitative of other scenic settings thus rendering the background attractive and artistic in kind.

Another object of the invention is the provision of. a background of this character, wherein o through the use of motive power motion can be given to the images to render the same animated, for example, persons working within a garden, and in this manner attracting attention of persons where the background is within a display I window, the background being of novel construction and the effect thereof is susceptible of Y changing by day and night.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a background of this character, which is simple in its construction, thoroughly reliable and effective in its operation, susceptible of attracting attention, possessing animation, aesthetic, and inexpensive to manufactureand install.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction,

combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose Athe preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.'

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is afront elevationof. a background constructed in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the directionbf the arrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

.at selected localities within the frame I0, the

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of la oral animation embraced in the background.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of a unit including a lighting device and a modified form of the background.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theI several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates generally the background constituting the 10 present invention and in this instance comprises a substantiallyrectangular shaped frame I0 preferably made from wood, although it may be made from any othersuitable material, this being of any desirable size and of any-other shape should 15 kthe occasion require. Fitted in this frame I0 is a sheet of white crepe paper I'I which is relatively taut and is made secure marginally thereof within the saidv frame to be bordered by the latter. Upon the exposed side of the sheet paper II is arranged images I2, I3, I4, I5, and I6, respectively, each being cut from relatively stiff cardboard blackened. These images are pasted or otherwise made fast upon the sheet paper II image I2 being indicative of a male gardener; the image I3 imitative of a female; the image I4 imitative of a cat; the image I5 imitative of growing tulips and the images I6 imitative of birds. The image I3 has a posture holding a 30 watering pot I1 while the image I2 has a posture holding a hoe I8 which latter is separated from the sheet paper I I and made from relatively stiff cardbard to effect reality. The hoe I0 is supported in the hands of. movable arms I9 and 35 20, respectively, separate from the sheet paper II and swingingly supported on pivots 2| suitably xed to a hanger 22 arranged in rear of the sheet paper II and supported by the frame I0.

The hanger has tted thereon an electric motor 40 23 which through a gearing 24 drives a rotatable shaft 25 which extends forwardly 0f the sheet paper I I and is fitted with a cam 26 operating on an abutment 21 xed to the arm 20 so that the said arm 20 will be moved and thus the hoe I0 s y operated giving appearance of the gardener busily engaged in working the garden. The water pot Il as held by the image I3 is positioned to indicate the watering of the tulips I5 growing within the garden. The garden representation is indicated at 28 and to give growing grass effect thereto the sheet paper I I on the rear face thereof has a papercovering 29 of green color and by illumination rearwardly of these sheets the gar- 55 den area 28 will have a green eiect imitative of growing grass therein.

The garden is mapped by a border demarcation 30 which is cut` from relatively stii cardboard, although the material may be glass, paper or other material found desirable and the cut formation is irregular and such cardboard is black, the same being pasted on the outer face of the sheet paper II and in this manner there is eiected a horizon as at 3| to the scene depicted by the background. The covering crepe paper 29 is cut away immediately rearwardly of the images I2, I3, I4, I5, I6 and I'I, respectively, in that such are cut into at determined places as at 32 so as to give natural appearance to these images simulating dressed persons, natural ilowers, animals and birds whether the background be illuminated or not. v

When the background constructed as hereinbefore set forth is on display within a Window or other point of display by day the images are silhouettes and by night the background in the scenic characteristics changes to give color effect thereto with the images silhouetted in such scenic appearance.

For illumination of the background one or several electric lamps can be placed at the rear thereof.

In Figure 7 of the drawings there is shown a slight modification, wherein there is provided a la'mp house 33 in which is placed an electric lamp 34 to be illuminated and a reector 35, respectively, while at the open front of this house 33 is a window 36 embracing the background make-up hereinbefore described and in this fashion a display device with changeable scenic characteristics is had.

Of course, it is to be understood that variations in the images is contemplated and also in the scenic characteristics of the background.

In. Figure 3 of the drawings there is shown by dotted lines an electric lamp 31 which is located properly with relation to the background for illumination thereof for color e'ect thereto through illumination.

It is an aim of the present invention to render the silhouettes animated whether singly or collectively and this is contemplated within the scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that changes, variations and modications may be made in the invention as fall properly within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriiicing any of its advantages.

'I'he display background has been described and shown for use in store windows. However, the

device is adaptable for pictures for use in a home such as a room or the like therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A display device comprising a support. a colorless sheet carried by said support and forming a background, silhouettes at the exposed side .of the sheet and imitative of animate and inanimate images, means rearwardly of the sheet for eiecting color at determined areas thereof on illumination of said sheet,l means for rendering a determined silhouette animated, and silhouette borders at the exposed side of said sheet, said coloring means being a colored sheet arranged rearwardly of the rst-mentioned sheet.

2. A display device comprising a support, a colorless sheet carried by said support and forming a background, silhouettes at the exposed side of the sheet and'imitative of animate and inanimate images, means rearwardly of the sheet for effecting color at determined areas thereof on illumination of said sheet',`means for rendering a determined silhouette animated, silhouette borders at the exposed side of said sheet, said coloring means being a colored 'sheet arranged rearwardly of the first-mentioned sheet, and means for projecting light in the direction of said 'rstmentioned sheet. v

3. A display device comprising a support, a colorless sheet carried'by said support and for-ming a background, silhouettes at the exposed side of the sheet and imitative of animate and inanimate images, means rearwardly of the sheet for effecting color at determined areas thereof on illumination of said sheet, means for rendering a determined silhouette animated, silhouette borders at the exposed side of said sheet, said coloring means being a colored sheet arranged rearwardly of the first-mentioned sh'eet, means for projecting light in the direction of said rstmentioned sheet, and a power unit supported for operating the second-named means. 1

4. A display device comprising a support, a colorless sheet carried by saidsupport and forming a background, silhouettes at the exposed side of the sheet and imitative of animate and inanimate images, means'rearwardly of the sheet for effecting color at determined areas thereof on illumination of said sheet,means for rendering a determined silhouette animated, silhouette borders at the exposed side of said sheet, said coloring means being a colored sheet arranged rearwardly of the first-mentioned sheet, means for projecting light in the direction of f' said first-mentioned sheet, and a power unit supported for operating the second-named means, the said silhouettes being black and non-penetrating to light.

'FRANCIS MURRAY. 

